Israel conducts airstrike in Qatar to assassinate Hamas officials
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This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows a man looking at smoke billowing after explosions in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Jacqueline Penney/AFPTV/Getty
Israel conducted an air strike on Tuesday to try and assassinate Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar.
Why it matters: The assassination attempt in the Qatari capital comes amid a renewed U.S. effort to reach a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. This was the first time Israel has ever struck inside Qatar, which is more than 1,000 miles away.
- Qatar, a key U.S. ally, has been a primary mediator in these efforts since the Oct. 7 attacks. Qatar's Interior Ministry said a member of its internal security force was killed.
- A U.S. official confirmed the Trump administration was only notified as the Israeli attack began — after missiles were in the air — leaving them no opportunity to weigh in.
- Hamas claimed in an official statement that the attack had failed to eliminate its leadership but did kill five members, including the son of the group's chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Haia. Hamas said the U.S. was complicit in the attack, and stressed the strike won't change its demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Driving the news: Qatar's prime minister met on Monday with Hamas leaders in Doha and pressed them to accept the new U.S. proposal.
- The strike took place when Hamas leaders met to discuss the Trump administration's proposal.
- A source with knowledge said some Hamas leaders even traveled to Doha from Turkey for the meeting.
- A senior intelligence official said "the entire Hamas A-list was in the building" when the bombs struck. No deaths have been confirmed other than the Qatari casualty.
What they're saying: "The Israeli air force conducted a precision strike against Hamas leaders who were involved in terror attacks against Israel and are directly responsible for the October 7 attacks," the IDF and the Shin Bet intelligence service said in a statement.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the strike was "a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility."
- The U.S. embassy in Doha said it had issued a "shelter-in-place" order due to reports of missile strikes.
The Qatar foreign ministry condemned the attack as "reckless" and "cowardly" in that it "targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas."
- "This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar," the ministry said in a statement.
- "The Ministry affirms that the security forces, civil defense, and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas."
- It added that "investigations are underway at the highest level."
The latest: Netanyahu said in a statement that on Monday, after Hamas conducted an attack in Jerusalem, killing six Israelis, he instructed the military and the Shin Bet security agency to prepare for the assassination operation.
- Netanyahu and Israeli Minister of Defense Israeli Katz said in a statement that a window of opportunity emerged on Tuesday and — with the input and full support of the heads of the security services — they gave the order.
Hamas claimed in an official statement that Israel failed in its attempt to assassinate the group's negotiations team. Hamas said five of its members were killed in the strike including the son of the group's chief negotiator Khalil Al-Haia. Hamas said the U.S. is also responsible for the attack and stressed the strike will not change the group's demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
